The flight took a few hours. With the power of the light inside him, he found that he could fly higher and faster without growing weary.
Still, they took their time. There was no rush, and he didn’t want to tire his parents.
It was glorious to soar through the sky with griffins at either side of him. He could hear the sound their wings made as they moved through the air. It filled him with warmth. It sounded like home.
At last, he was flying with his own kind. At last, he wasn’t the only griffin in a group of dragons.
And once they had children, there’d be even more griffins around. Tiny griffins—with parents and grandparents to watch over their first flight.
He knew that it would involve hard work, that there’d be short nights and teething and upset tummies—but it would be worth it. He’d be surrounded by family. All of them would have someone to lean on. And no matter how many obstacles life might throw at them, he’d never have to feel lonely again.
***
Jared knew that something was up even before they’d landed. His house in Mountain View—more a generous mansion, really, although he’d never used it much—was surrounded by boxes.
And as soon as they’d touched down, Braeden and his human mate Alyx came out of the house, their eyes wide with surprise.
“Ginny told me that you’d be here soon,” Braeden said, “but she failed to mention that there’d be an entire flight of griffins swooping down on us!”
“Didn’t you say that griffins are so rare that you’ve never met another?” Alyx looked awed. Then her mouth opened in shock when Jared’s parents also shifted back into their human form.
Jared couldn’t stop smiling widely. “Braeden, Alyx, this is my mate Chiara—and my parents.”
“But didn’t you tell me that your parents...” Alyx trailed off, her shock turning into sudden joy. “You’ve found them?”
“He found us,” Marianne said behind him. “It’s a complicated story.”
His mother was laughing softly, even when Alyx came down the stairs to hug Jared tightly.
“I’m so happy for you!” Alyx said. “I want to know everything!”
“You’ll get all the details,” Jared promised. “If you tell me what’s going on here first.”
He gestured to the cardboard boxes all around the driveway.
As if on command, a large van came around the corner, driven by a grizzled man who had bear shifter written all over him.
“We’re moving,” Braeden said and clasped his shoulder. “Thanks again for letting us stay here while we were searching.”
“We found the perfect spot.” Alyx’s eyes were gleaming with excitement. “An hour’s drive from Wing Island. Less time on dragonback, of course. There’s a clan of bear shifters who were eager to start a community of their own, and a few of the weregull kids from Wing Island are interested in building a new home—putting some distance between them and Grandma Weregull, from what I understand.” She laughed softly. “There’s this large old house on top of a hill, surrounded by meadows and a large lake. It’s very idyllic.”
“The house was in terrible repair, but it’ll do for now,” Braeden said proudly. “One wing’s looking as good as new. I’m planning on adding an entire new wing too in the spring.”
“Can’t have too many bedrooms.” Alyx smiled. “We’re hoping they won’t stay empty for long. And of course, the kitchen’s all fireproof.”
“Next project is a dragonfire steakhouse,” Braeden added. “You’re of course invited to our big opening party.”
“You’ve been very busy.” Jared couldn’t help but feel proud of all that Braeden had achieved in such a short time.
Who’d believe now that the fire dragon had once attacked them, and then spent so much time as their prisoner?
After Braeden had realized that humans weren’t all cruel monsters who wanted to kill all dragons, he’d worked hard to make up for his past. He’d saved them all by defeating Steele together with Alyx.
“It’s worth it.” Alyx looked exhausted but happy. “I’m not the sort of person who can sit still for long. And Braeden’s just as eager to finally get started on our own home.”
“And it seems we got done just in time. It looks like you’re finally ready to turn this into a real home...”
Ruefully, Jared chuckled. “I know, I know. I’ve been neglecting this place. It just doesn’t really feel like a home if it’s just you—so what was the point of staying here when I could just throw myself into my work instead? But that’s over now.”